biographical info
Born in Montreal in 1970, Efrim Manuel Menuck grew up in Toronto and spent his childhood attending hebrew day school, keeping kosher and never believing in god. After teen years spent immersed in punk rock and a move back to Montreal in the mid-90's, he formed Godspeed You! Black Emperor and, four years later, Thee Silver Mount Zion. From 2007-2009 he was a member of the Vic Chesnutt band and has a combined thirteen albums under his belt with these three, diverse groups. Spending much of the last decade on the road, Efrim co-founded Montreal's Hotel2Tango recording studio, and has dozens of recording, arranging and guest playing credits to his name. In the past year and half, Efrim has become a new father and has written and recorded his first solo project, Efrim Manuel Menuck Plays ‘High Gospel'.
Fans of Efrim’s will be well versed in his highly original and constantly evolving approach to the sound of the electric guitar. His work as a sound sculptor and inventive signal bender is well documented in his discography, as is his recasting of various folkways through the uncompromising lens of punk rock. Using a combination of short and long analog delays, biting compression and blown-out clouds of pink noise distortion, Efrim continually sets up a focused and confident hybrid of damaged blues, waltz, klezmer and folk instrumental tropes.